Maple News reports that Canada has launched a new immigration initiative providing a fast-tracked pathway to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers employed in essential sectors. The program, effective from May 6, is open to workers in 135 specified essential occupations, including positions such as cashiers, cleaners, and healthcare professionals.
This landmark immigration stream, capped at 50,000 permanent residents, is split into two groups: 20,000 spots are allocated for healthcare workers, while 30,000 are reserved for other essential roles. The program will close on November 5, 2021, or once the available spots have been filled—whichever comes first. Applicants must be working outside of Quebec to qualify.
In a bid to increase Francophone immigration outside of Quebec, a separate stream has been established for French-speaking essential workers. Unlike the general stream, this pathway does not have a numerical cap, as Canada continues to encourage Francophone newcomers in provinces where French is a minority language.
Eligibility for both streams hinges on recent work experience: applicants must have completed at least one year (or 1,560 hours) of full-time or part-time work within the last three years in one of the designated essential occupations. There are 40 eligible occupations under the healthcare stream and 95 under the general essential worker category.
Additional requirements include being employed in Canada at the time of application, residing in Canada on valid temporary status (or eligible for restoration), and intending to live in a province other than Quebec. Self-employment is generally not accepted unless the applicant is a fee-for-service physician affiliated with a Canadian health authority.
Language proficiency is also critical. Applicants must demonstrate at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or the equivalent NCLC 4 in French. Those applying under the French-speaking stream must meet the French language requirement specifically.
Applicants must not be deemed inadmissible to Canada on grounds such as criminality or medical issues.
This temporary but highly impactful initiative provides essential workers—many of whom have supported Canada through the COVID-19 pandemic—with an opportunity to gain long-term stability and contribute more permanently to Canadian communities.
Maple News will continue to report on updates related to Canadian immigration policies and the outcomes of these new pathways.